Juvenile Stakes-Winner for Fastnet
Not many two year-olds make their debut in a 1600 metre stakes race, but Eagle Island (2c Fastnet Rock x Banc de Fortune, by Galileo) did just that successfully after taking out the Listed SAJC Oaklands Plate at Morphettville on Saturday.
Easy in the betting after drifting from $6 out to $9, Eagle Island belied the lack of interest from punters in surging home to win by a long head.
A $300,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud for James Bester Bloodstock/ Demi O’Byrne, Eagle Island runs in the navy blue Coolmore colours and is raced by Coolmore and partners.
Eagle Island is the second foal and first winner for stakes-winning Galileo mare Banc de Fortune, a daughter of Group I AJC Australian Oaks winner Danendri and half-sister to the dam of Group I VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume.
Given the ‘classic’ leanings of his pedigree it’s not surprising to see Eagle Island held back until later the season and sent out first up over a mile with happy results.
Banc de Fortune produced a colt by Fastnet Rock again last spring and is back in foal to the champion sire.
Eagle Island is the 44th stakes-winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock, whose fee has been set at $275,000 for 2013 making him the most expensive sire in Australia.